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Reviews > Lighting > Headlamps - LED > Princeton Tec EOS > Lynne Durham > Field ReportField Report - Princeton Tec EOS HeadlampReview date: March 7, 2005 ----- TESTER BIO Name: Lynne Durham Gender: Female Height: 5' 10" (1.78 m) Weight: 153 lb (69 kg) Age: 43 Email: lynnedurham AT yahoo DOT com Location: Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA Head circumference: 22.25" (57 cm) ----- BACKPACKING EXPERIENCE I am a backpacking novice -- my first trip was in 2002. I have hiked and car camped all of my life, mostly in the relative flatlands of the lower and upper peninsulas of Michigan, but also in areas east of the Continental Divide, such as South Dakota, New England, Kentucky, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, and more. In September, 2004 I did my first solo backpacking trip and in October, 2004 I did a single-day, rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon. So far, all of my camping and backpacking has been 3-season, but I plan to expand to winter camping this year. I keep my pack weight to 25% of bodyweight or less but I always bring optional or comfort items. My other outdoor experience includes trail running and snowshoeing; I am a paddling, climbing and adventure racing novice. ----- PRODUCT INFORMATION Item name: EOS Headlamp Manufacturer: Princeton Tec Manufacturer's Web site: www.princetontec.com Year of manufacture: 2004 MSRP: USD38.99 Package arrival date: December 20, 2005 Manufacturer claimed weight (including alkaline batteries): 3.7 oz (105 g) Actual weight as received (including alkaline batteries): 3.7 oz (105 g) From the product's packaging:
FIELD USEAGE During the field report period, this headlamp has seen extensive use in a variety of outdoor activities, including extended dayhiking (starting before dawn or lasting past dusk), trailrunning, and road running. Additionally, it has seen wide-ranging household use, being used within the home and for outside chores such as shoveling snow, checking vehicle fluid levels and more. A winter backpacking trip did not occur but if Michigan weather cooperates, may still occur. Additionally, two trips are already scheduled during the remainder of the testing period (in the spring). Specific to hiking and trailrunning, the EOS has seen more than 130 miles of trail -- either actually in use or in a pack -- during the testing period. Between these trail miles and an additional 86 road running miles, the EOS has been used in the following weather conditions:
COMFORT The EOS headband is easily adjustable. Prior to the test I had concerns based on my experience with other headlamps: would the EOS work well when I wore hats? During the test period, I wore a variety of hats, including a wool earflap hat, a baseball-style waterproof hat (I wore the headlamp above the bill) and a plain, fleece earband. My fear was that the EOS headband would cause the hats to ride up my head as I had experienced with other headlamps. However, the EOS stayed snugly around the hat, no matter what type I was using. It was comfortable for even extended use (longest period on head during the test period was three hours). ----- LIGHTING LEVELS I found the EOS's lowest lighting level to be more than adequate for most of my uses, including hiking in the dark, digging items out of my pack, home-type uses, etc. However, I immediately use the highest lighting level for trailrunning. I did not feel the medium- or low-lighting levels offered me sufficient light for running needs on snow-covered trails. The highest lighting level offered sufficient throw for me to choose my line and firmly plant my foot, even at higher speeds (which is relatively speaking because I am a very slow runner). However, as spring arrives and the trails are less treacherous, I would like to try running on a lower light level to better maintain battery life. Also in regards to trailrunning, I had been concerned about whether running with a headlamp would alter my depth perception versus running with a handheld which had been my past practice. I did not find that to be the case. The EOS kept my runs well-lit and allowed for surefooted running and hiking. So both the lowest lighting level and the highest lighting level both saw extensive use during this test period. Surprisingly, I rarely used the medium level. Because the lowest level was adequate for most of my needs, I saw no need to flip to use medium. Because I was so concerned about trail conditions, I immediately went to the highest lighting level when I felt I needed more light. As the test continues, I plan to give the medium setting more of a workout. Perhaps not surprisingly, the safety or strobe function saw no use during the period. Again, barring an emergency need for a strobe, I will manufacture a use for it if need be as the test continues. ----- EASE OF USE The EOS is extremely easy to use. The headband is easily adjusted, even while wearing gloves. The on/off button sits in a very slight depression, which makes it easy to locate, even with light gloves on. However, this feature also made it a bit more difficult for me to work while using heavy gloves, like snowboarding gloves. The difficulty was minor. I have not used mittens and thus have not tried to use the EOS with mittens. The EOS lightbeam is directionally adjustable up and down in six positions. The flush-to-forehead position aims the light approximately straight ahead of you. The lowest downward-pointing position points nearly perpendicular to the forehead. The direction is easily set by simply moving the light up or down. Once set into position, the EOS light stays firmly in place and does not jiggle out of position, even with hardcore activity -- including running or slipping and falling on ice (which I had the "pleasure" of evaluating several times during the test period). ----- DURABILITY TO DATE Thus far, the EOS has exhibited excellent weather durability. Although not yet used in heavy rain, it has withstood heavy snow and light rainfall quite well. There has been no degradation of function. There is no sign of moisture having breeched the casing or lens. The EOS worked just as well at 2 degrees F (-17 degrees C) as it did at 40 degrees F (4 degrees C). The EOS has been carried in my daypack, in my lumbar pack, in a fanny pack and in my pocket. During that time, it has developed no outward signs of wear. ----- FOR FURTHER TESTING The EOS will continue to be the only light I use for my outdoor needs during the rest of the testing period. During this period, I will be doing a weekend backpack on the North Country Trail in Michigan and a 4-day backpacking trip in the Mammoth Cave area in May or June. The light will also continue to see extensive use on dayhikes and trail runs and it will see use during a 50 mile trail run in Illinois in April. During that period, I intend to better evaluate the use of the medium lighting level and the strobe capability. In addition, I hope to subject the EOS to more severe weather conditions, including heavier rains and higher winds. ----- BENEFITS (so far)
LIMITATIONS (so far)
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